Youth Guarantee scheme renewed and strengthened so that more young people can reach their potential
In a press conference addressed by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for the Interior, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri, the renewal of the Youth Guarantee scheme was announced with an investment of more than €10 million from public funds and others from the European Social Fund. Funding that is part of the largest package of European funds that our country has obtained in 2020.
The Youth Guarantee scheme will benefit young people between the ages of 15 and 29. This means that more young people will benefit, just as in the previous scheme those up to 24 years of age benefited from it. With this scheme, young people who need to acquire skills and qualifications to be ready for the world of work, benefit through training provided in collaboration between Jobsplus and educational institutions, among others. In fact, the previous scheme, which was run by the Government, benefited 6,000 young people, almost 90% of whom obtained qualifications and skills or entered the world of work.
In his address, Prime Minister Robert Abela noted how the renewal of the Youth Guarantee scheme is another measure carried out by the Government’s work programme. He said that the Government’s holistic thinking is that no one falls behind where everyone reaches their potential. He mentioned the Government’s plan to open the Institute for Crafts within MCAST and the fact that our country has continued to make significant steps in reducing the rate of people leaving the educational system early. He explained that investment in education, including vocational education, is an important step so that the educational and training system can catch up with every young man and woman who receives the necessary training so that they are better prepared for today’s world of work.
Dr Abela noted that the Youth Guarantee scheme goes hand in hand with the Malta Labour Migration Policy with the Maltese First principle, where the best economic opportunities continue to be taken by Maltese and Gozitan youth. He also thanked Jobsplus for leading this scheme through which more youth are helped to move forward.
For his part, Minister Byron Camilleri stated that our country, when compared to other European countries, has one of the best employment rates and that this is a success that the Government is proud of, but he reiterated that at the same time he understands that there are circumstances where a person may need more help. With this, in the words of Minister Camilleri, it is the Government’s obligation, always has been and will remain, to intervene even if there is only one person to help them move forward.
With the Youth Guarantee, it has precisely this goal, that no young man or woman should be outside education, work or training. Minister Camilleri concluded that it is also an initiative that has value in the context of the Labour Migration Policy that our country is drawing up which will reward training. Because in today’s world you never know enough and one always has to invest in oneself. In this case, the investment is in Maltese youth so that they can benefit from the success of their country.
Before the press conference, Prime Minister Robert Abela, together with Minister Byron Camilleri and Jobsplus CEO Celia Falzon, met with Jobsplus workers and saw more closely the work that is done on a daily basis.
Photos (OPM-DOI)
